Sheriff Seeking Legislation to Help Control Thefts for Scrap Materials

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones has asked the Ohio State Legislative Branch to develop law requiring more definitive identification, to include a photograph, of anyone attempting to sell quantities of certain scrap materials to scrap and recycling businesses. “More and more, we are seeing thefts of catalytic converters, copper pipe, copper wire, aluminum siding, and just about anything else that can be converted into a quick buck, and it appears most of this stuff is sold as scrap,” said Sheriff Jones. “If we can somehow make the scrap dealers more accountable for who they do business with, maybe some of these thefts will stop,” he added. “This is not just a Butler County problem, it’s everywhere.”

Under current law, scrap dealers are required to obtain specific information about the material and about the person trying to sell it. (Those specifics can be found in Section 4737.04 of the Ohio Revised Code.) The Sheriff is hoping that an additional requirement will be added so that the seller would be personally photographed at the time of the sale. Ohio State Senator Bill Seitz has indicated not just his support of the idea, but his willingness to introduce the legislation.

“I don’t think the scrap dealers will want any more burden placed upon them,” said Sheriff Jones. “They probably think that everyone already complies with the existing laws and regulations, and that’s enough. But, I don’t believe it is. We need this additional tool. My office is considering some random checks at the scrap yards to see how compliant the operators are with existing laws. Dealers beware, the Sheriff is coming your way. Don’t be surprised if your next purchase of scrap materials is from an undercover Deputy. We’ve got to stop the thefts of these types of materials.”